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Bob Willis Trophy: Craig Overton helps Somerset complete dominant win against Gloucestershire

Heavy rain forces abandonments in several of the other penultimate round group matches, including between Yorkshire and Lancashire

Craig Overton of Somerset celebrates after taking the wicket of Josh Shaw
Image: Craig Overton of Somerset celebrates after taking the wicket of Josh Shaw

Craig Overton finished with figures of 5-26 as Somerset completed a dominant 314-run Bob Willis Trophy win over Gloucestershire in Taunton.

After a delayed start due to inclement weather, the hosts needed just 15 minutes to claim Gloucestershire's last two wickets at the Cooper Associates County Ground and move to the top of the Central Group.

Overton took one of them, with his third ball of the day, and the last wicket fell to Jack Brooks to complete a game dominated by Somerset's seam attack as the hosts bolstered their hopes of reaching the Lord's final. Somerset vs Gloucs scorecard

Darren Stevens celebrated being offered another year's contract by Kent at the age of 44 by taking 4-41 to spearhead a thrilling 17-run victory over Surrey at the Kia Oval and keep his side's qualification hopes alive.

Darren Stevens
Image: Darren Stevens showed he's still got it at the age of 44 with four wickets as Kent beat Surrey

Surrey, needing 192 to win from 62 overs after bowling Kent out for a second-innings 127, were dismissed for 174 deep into the final session of a memorable contest.

Matt Milnes was Kent's other bowling hero, taking 4-57 - including the dramatic final wicket - and produced superb deliveries to bowl both Sam Curran and Rikki Clarke either side of tea. Surrey vs Kent scorecard

Storm Francis cleared in time for Northamptonshire to complete a six-wicket victory over Glamorgan.

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Emilio Gay's maiden first-class half-century helped the hosts secure their first win of the tournament.

Gay, who finished unbeaten on 77, shared 106 for the second wicket with first-innings centurion Charlie Thurston (64) before captain Ricardo Vasconcelos saw them over the line. Northants vs Glamorgan scorecard

Charlie Thurston of Northamptonshire acknowledges the applause from his team mates on reaching his half-century during day four of the Bob Willis Trophy match between Northamptonshire and Glamorgan at The County Ground on August 25, 2020 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Andy Kearns/2020 Getty Images)
Image: Charlie Thurston made 64 in Northants' first win in the Bob WIllis Trophy

Leicestershire's batsmen dug in to force a draw after only 22.2 overs were possible on the final day of the match against Nottinghamshire at the Fischer County Ground.

Heavy rain prevented play before 2.15pm, but when Leicestershire quickly lost the wicket of captain Colin Ackermann, leg before for 65 after being hit on the back pad stretching forward to defend a Peter Trego in-swinger, the Foxes' lead was only 29, with six second-innings wickets in hand.

The pitch was still flat, however, and the strong winds made bowling from the Pavilion End close to impossible, with Trego forced to reduce his run-up to four or five paces.

Harry Swindells, Leicestershire's 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, took full advantage, hitting eight fours in scoring a maiden first-class half-century off 66 balls.

And with George Rhodes continuing to play as obdurately as he had the previous evening - he faced 107 deliveries for his unbeaten 22 - the hosts extended their lead into three figures before another rain shower shortly after tea caused umpires Nick Cook and Hassan Adnan to decide enough was enough. Leics vs Notts scorecard

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County champions Essex lost their 100 per cent record in the Bob Willis Trophy as they were forced to watch their clash with Hampshire slide into a rainy draw.

Rain fell constantly overnight at Arundel to add further squelch to the already soggy outfield before an early afternoon downpour ended any hope of play - with the shared points confirmed after a 2pm inspection.

A positive result, either way, had been made nearly impossible due to a washed-out opening day before only 78 overs, dotted around heavy showers, across the second and third days.

Both sides will take nine points, eight for the draw plus a bonus point, from the match. Hants vs Essex scorecard

Yorkshire and Lancashire endured weather frustration as their clash at Emerald Headingley finished in a rain-soaked draw.

The match was abandoned at 10.30am ahead of the final day amid heavy rain and puddles on the outfield, with a total of 212 overs lost across the four days of a North Group fixture which was unable to complete its first innings.

TAUNTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Adam Lyth during day three of the Specsavers County Championship Division One match between Somerset and Yorkshire at The Cooper Associates County Ground on April 29, 2018 in Taunton, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
Image: Adam Lyth's ton was the standout performance in a Roses clash dominated by rain

Lancashire finished on 195-5, replying to Yorkshire's 260, with Adam Lyth's 103 for the hosts the standout performance of a match which saw 10 players make their maiden first-class Roses appearance. Yorks vs Lancs scorecard

Worcestershire's Central Group encounter with Warwickshire was another early victim of the weather after heavy overnight rain ruined any chance of play.

The two teams both collect 13 points from a game dominated by the bat in which only 16 wickets fell in three days.

Worcestershire, vying to finish as one of the two winners from the three groups with the most points going through to the final at Lord's, face a crunch final match with Somerset at Blackfinch New Road beginning on Sunday, September 6. Worcs vs Warks scorecard

Heavy rain also prevented any play on the fourth day between Durham and Derbyshire at Emirates Riverside.

Derbyshire took 14 points to stay top of the North Group on 71, five clear of Yorkshire ahead of their final-round fixture against Lancashire next month. Derbyshire vs Durham scorecard